Sustainability Services
Including but not limited to, IPNA (Integrated Physical Needs Assessments), NYSERDA Incentives Programs, Enterprise Green Communities, ENERGY STAR Certification, Energy Audits (Local Law 87 and ASHRAE Level 2), Local Law 97 and Electrification Feasibility Studies, TR8 Inspections, Solar Consulting.
Integrated Physical Needs Assessment
IPNA’s (formerly GPNA's) are an evaluation process for existing buildings to assess the physical conditions of a property, as well as energy, water, and health needs. Once complete, an IPNA will recommended improvements to enhance building operations, energy and water efficiency, and correct any known deficiencies. Ultimately, an IPNA is a tool used to secure financing for a scope of work at a property. Agencies such as New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) require an IPNA as part of their financial application processes. Rehabilitation projects at existing buildings applying for 4% to 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) in the state of New York require an IPNA. Furthermore, data accumulated from IPNA’s can be utilized for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) incentive program for existing buildings. KOW Building Consultants is approved by both New York City’s Housing Preservation Department (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to provide IPNA services throughout the five NYC boroughs and across NY state. A typical IPNA report would include the following: Physical Needs Assessment (ASTM E2018-15 Standard Guide) Evaluates the physical condition of a building, including identification of critical, short-term, and long-term physical needs, active defects, potential improvements to existing physical conditions, and associated construction costs Energy Audit (ASHRAE - Level II Audit Guidelines) Evaluates a building’s energy and water consumption to identify and display savings and cost analysis for specific energy efficiency and water conservation measures that are both capital intensive and low-to-no cost Heathy Homes Assessment Identifies housing-based health issues and makes recommendations for building maintenance practices and measures that promote healthy living conditions, such as the use of sustainable materials and integrated pest management practices For more information regarding Integrated Physical Needs Assessments, please see the following links to the NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) sites: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/integrated-physical-needs-assessment-ipna.page https://hcr.ny.gov/green-building-requirements-preservation-existing-housing
Energy Audits
A tool to identify improvement opportunities for energy reduction and energy efficiency. Whether you are looking for ways to reduce your operating expenses, improve comfort and profitability, or simply upgrade systems, an energy audit is the first step. KOW provides ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits, a NYC requirement for buildings larger than 50,000 square feet, per Local Law 97, for buildings and portfolios of all sizes to offer a comprehensive assessment of the current energy consumption and energy related systems to make the most cost-effective upgrades.
NYSERDA Multifamily Building Solutions
With a mission of advancing clean energy innovation to combat climate change and improve the health and resiliency of New Yorkers, NYSERDA offers various incentive payout programs for new construction and rehabilitation projects to decrease their carbon footprints. Through improved envelope insulation, high efficiency HVAC, air sealing, renewable energy implementation, and more, NYSERDA provides developers with the resources to seek out newer innovative technologies with technical assistance to meet project goals. As an official NYSERDA Multifamily Building Solutions Provider, KOW can assist your new construction and rehabilitation developments to achieve financial incentives for meeting energy savings targets. In addition to the base NYSERDA programs, we can also hold charrettes to determine any other NYSERDA programs your buildings may be eligible for, including but not limited to: Affordable Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (AMEEP) – Offers support to affordable multifamily buildings with 5 or more units looking to make their existing buildings more energy efficient: $900-$2000 per unit New Construction – Housing (NC-H) – Supports new construction and gut-rehab projects to provide residents with energy savings and comfort, with a prerequisite of achieving ENERGY STAR certification: $500 - $1,000 per unit Flexible Technical Assistance Program (FlexTech) – Offers cost-shared technical services to identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption and costs: 50% of study cost. In addition, for projects that focus on building electrification or electrification-readiness, the Low Carbon Capital Planning (LCCP) program offers an enhanced cost-share support through the FlexTech program of up to 75% of the study cost. NYS Clean Heat Program – Aims to build market capacity to deliver building electrification solutions designed for space and water heating via heat pumps: incentives vary based on region and system size. Solar Program (NY-Sun) – incentives to make solar energy more accessible and affordable to New Yorkers, while educating owners on their solar options. Buildings of Excellence – A competition that recognizes and rewards the design, construction, and operation of very low or zero carbon emitting multifamily buildings, improving quality of life and profitability. Winning projects are awarded up to $1 million
Energy Star Certification
ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR certified homes are designed and constructed to be significantly more energy efficient than those built to code while lowering homeowner utility bills and providing superior comfort, quality, and durability. KOW is proud to be an Energy Star Partner. As a requirement for EGC 2020 New Construction projects, KOW can also assist with ENERGY STAR certification, including development design review, construction review, testing and verification, and final submission https://www.energystar.gov/partner_resources/residential_new/homes_prog_reqs/multifamily_national_page
Enterprise Green Communities
A requirement for HPD-financed substantial rehabilitation projects, EGC sets goals for construction projects not only to meet energy savings thresholds, but also to support quality and safe affordable housing. Site conditions and improvements, water quality, healthy material selection, and improving indoor air quality are all other facets of the EGC criteria to keep preserve proper affordable housing. New construction projects are also required to certify with the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction program. EGC helps developers, investors, builders and policymakers make the transition to a green future for affordable housing. KOW can assist you to ensure your project complies with the EGC criteria. https://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/ https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/enterprise-green-communities-criteria-egcc.page
Sustainable Design
We can help you initiate energy conservation retrofits to reduce energy consumption and the cost of heating, cooling, and lighting buildings.